Dalits have been subjected to discrimination for thousands of years, and have been trapped in poverty - seventy percent of Dalits live below the poverty line. These two factors explain why, of all people, Dalits are the most vulnerable to human trafficking, and make up probably 90% of those who are trafficked in India.

In 2001, thousands of Dalit traveled from all over India to New Delhi to denounce the oppressive system under which they had been living. In the same year, Dalit leaders met with Christian leaders and asked for their help to remedy the situation. In response to the question of how they could be helped, the Dalit leadership had a twofold request...

[educate our children]

The first was a request to educate Dalit children. This would immediately reduce the risk of the children being trafficked and hence would become a cornerstone in the prevention aspect of the anti-trafficking programme.  Education would also mean that the children would be in a much better position to find employment that could lift them out of poverty and increase their self-esteem. The Dalit leaders requested quality education in the English medium with a world-view based on human worth, freedom and dignity. This birthed Dalit Education Centres (DECs) - schools for children aged 4-16 - and led to the formation of the Operation Mercy India Foundation. To date 90 DECs have been established, educating more than 18,000 children, most of whom are Dalits, with an ultimate goal of 1,000 centres around India.

[be a voice for the voiceless]

The second request was for advocacy on behalf of the Dalits: to become a ‘voice for the voiceless’, both in India and internationally, through a network of contacts and organisations. Here in the Australia, we can be that voice, by speaking up against the injustices of discrimination, poverty and slavery in India, and by demonstrating that this is something that really matters. We can also help Dalits to stand up against injustice, by providing them with choices about their lives and their future, equipping them with a knowledge of their legal rights, and standing together with them to see these rights honoured.